Adjustable dosing dispensers and methods for using the same

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the invention relate to dosing dispensers and in particular to dosing dispensers that may be operated using one hand by raising and filling a dosing chamber followed by lowering and dispersing a product from the dosing chamber and wherein the dose may be selected or adjusted and a user may visually confirm that the proper dose is being loaded and delivered by the dispenser.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser.No. 15/806,610, filed Nov. 8, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,247,592, issuedApr. 2, 2019, which is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser.No. 14/807,956, filed Jul. 24, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,846,066, issuedDec. 19, 2017.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the invention relate to dosing dispensers and moreparticularly to selectable dosing dispensers that may be primed andactuated with single-handed use.

State of the Art

The ability to dose or provide a specific dose of a product for a useris desirable. As a result, many different types of dosing dispensers anddevices have been developed for everything from home cleaning productsto healthcare products and medications. Such dosing dispensers come inmany sizes, shapes, and forms.

One example of a dosing dispenser is a syringe. A syringe allows a userto draw a measured portion of a liquid or product into a body or barrelof the syringe for later dispensing. The body or barrel of the syringemay be marked with graduations to allow a user to measure or visuallysee the amount—or dose—of product that has been drawn into the syringe.In this way, a user may manually select an amount of product to collectand later dispense with the syringe.

Another example of a dosing dispenser is a measuring cup. A measuringcup having graduations marking specific doses may be filled to thedesired dose and then emptied in a desired manner on a desired surfaceor into a receptacle.

While other dosing dispensers and devices exist, improvements aredesired. For example, many of the dosing dispensers may not be operatedwith one hand. In the case of the syringe, a user must hold the syringe,immerse the opening of the syringe into the liquid to be loaded into thesyringe, and pull the plunger to load the syringe. At times, this mustalso be done while holding a bottle containing the product to be used.For instance, many children's medications utilize syringes as a dosingdevice to allow a caregiver to administer a proper dosage of medicine toa child. In use, the syringe must be inserted into a bottle of themedicine and the syringe plunger raised to load the syringe. Thecaregiver must hold the bottle—or secure it in a non-movable position ona surface—while keeping the syringe inserted sufficiently in the bottleto ensure that product is loaded into the syringe while the syringeplunger is moved. This requires two hands. In addition, as the bottle ofmedicine is used up, the syringe must be inserted further into thebottle to acquire product. With children's medicine, this often meansthat the dose graduations on the syringe are within the bottle and arenot visible to the caregiver. The caregiver must therefore guess at whenthey have reached the correct dose and pull the syringe out and check ordraw too much medicine into the syringe and then push the extra backinto the bottle or container, risking contamination of the medicine.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to various embodiments of the invention, a dispensing systemmay include a dispenser and a container having a product therein. Thedispenser may be configured to include a dosing chamber that may befilled and emptied to distribute a dose of product from the container toa desired location. In some embodiments, a dosing chamber may be filledby raising a dispenser head that partially defines the dosing chamber toa predetermined height. A dose contained within the dosing chamber maybe distributed or delivered by pushing on the dispenser head—or applyinga force to the dispenser head—which thereby pushes the dose of productout of the dispenser.

According to some embodiments of the invention, a dispenser includes adispenser head includes having a lever associated therewith. A valvesystem within the dispenser allows product to flow into a dosing chamberdefined by an interior of the dispenser head when the dispenser head israised or moved by a user. In some embodiments, a user may apply a forceto the lever to move the dispensing head. When a user applies anopposite force to the lever or the dispenser head, the valving systemallows product to be dispensed from the dosing chamber or from withinthe dispenser in an amount substantially equivalent to the amount ofproduct that was drawn into the dosing chamber.

In certain embodiments of the invention, a cap may be fitted over aportion of a dispenser head of a dispenser. The cap may include one ormore lever paths along which a lever associated with a dispenser headmay travel when moved by a user. The one or more lever paths may havedifferent lengths such that each lever path defines a dosage amount orallows only that dosage amount into a dosing chamber. For example, afirst lever path may be half as long as a second lever path. The firstlever path allows the dispenser head to travel a first distance and fillthe dosing chamber with a dose having a first volume. When the lever ofthe dispenser head is aligned with the second lever path and thedispenser head is moved to fill the dosing chamber, a second distance istraveled and the dosing chamber is filled with a dose having a secondvolume. The lever paths may be configured such that the first and seconddoses are for a child and an adult, respectively, or such that thesecond dose is exactly double the first dose. Other configurations mayalso be used such that a user may customize the dosage amount based uponthe desired use or desired dose of product required from the dispenser.

In some embodiments of the invention, a dispenser may include a base, aseal seated on the base and having a fluid flow path therethrough, adispenser head seated over the seal and part of the base, a valve sleeveand a valve seated in the valve sleeve, the valve having both an inletand an outlet valve. A dosing chamber may be defined by an interiorspace between the dispenser head and the seal. Product may be drawn intothe dosing chamber through the fluid flow path in the seal and thendispensed back through the fluid flow path as the volume of the dosingchamber is reduced. In certain embodiments of the invention, the volumein the dosing chamber is altered by movement of the dispenser headrelative to the seal and the base. When the dispenser head is drawn awayfrom the base, the inlet valve may open or unseat, allowing product toflow into the dosing chamber. Upon movement of the dispenser headtowards the base, the inlet valve may be reseated and the outlet valveopened, allowing product to flow out of the dispenser.

According to various embodiments of the invention, a dispenser may beused with either an airless or a vented system. In an airless system, apiston may be used with a container to provide the necessaryfollower-piston for the product in a container. In other airlesssystems, a pouch or bag may be attached to the dispenser. In ventedsystems, a dispenser may be used with a dip-tube or other conduit forproviding or delivering a product to the dispenser for use anddispensing of the product.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming particular embodiments of the invention, variousembodiments of the invention can be more readily understood andappreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art from the followingdescriptions of various embodiments of the invention when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a dosing dispenser according to various embodimentsof the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a user actuating a dosing dispenser according tovarious embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a user dispensing a product from a dosing dispenseraccording to various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a dispenser and dispensing system according tovarious embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a dispenser and dispensing system according tovarious embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates the components of a dispenser and dispensing systemaccording to various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a dispenser and dispensingsystem according to various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates the components of a dispenser and dispensing systemaccording to various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a dispenser according tovarious embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a rear-view of a dispensing device according tovarious embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a rear-view of a dispensing device according tovarious embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates a rear-view of a dispensing device according tovarious embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 13 illustrates a side-view of a dispensing device according tovarious embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 14 illustrates a front-view of a dispensing device according tovarious embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 15 illustrates a top-view of a dispensing device according tovarious embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 16 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a dispensing deviceaccording to various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 17 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a dispensing device in anon-actuated state according to various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 18 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a dispensing device duringloading of a dosing chamber according to various embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 19 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a loaded dispensing deviceaccording to various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 20 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a dispensing device duringdelivery of a dose of product from the dispensing device according tovarious embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 21 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a dispensing deviceaccording to various embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 22 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a dispensing deviceaccording to various embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to various embodiments of the invention, a dispenser may beloaded and actuated by a user to dispense a particular dose of fluid orother product. In some embodiments of the invention, the loading,dosing, and actuation of the dispenser may be accomplished using onehand. In various embodiments, the dispenser may be used with a ventingcontainer and in other embodiments it may be used with a non-ventingcontainer or an airless container system.

A dispenser 100 according to certain embodiments of the invention isillustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3. As illustrated, a dispenser 100 mayinclude a shroud 110 and a dispenser head 120. The dispenser head 120may include a lever 122 as illustrated. In other embodiments, the lever122 may be a separate component but in communication with the dispenserhead 120 such that the lever 122 may be used to move the dispenser head120.

The dispenser head 120 may be movable with respect to the shroud 110.For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a user may push on or apply aforce to the lever 122 to move the dispenser head 120 away from the topof the shroud 110. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the dispenser head 120 maybe moved downward—or towards the shroud 110—by a user applying a forceto the lever 122. Alternatively, a user may apply a force directly tothe top of the dispenser head 120 to push the dispenser head 120 backtowards the shroud 110.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3, a dispenser 100 according tovarious embodiments of the invention may be attached to a container 900containing a product, such as a liquid or fluid. In some embodiments theshroud 110 may attach to the container 900 while in other embodiments abase of the dispenser 100 may attach to the container 900 to retain thedispenser 100 on the container 900 and hold the shroud 110.

According to certain embodiments of the invention, a dispensing system950 including a dispenser 100 and a container 900 attached thereto maybe operated by a user with one hand. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a usermay apply a force to the lever 122 to raise the dispenser head 120 ormove it away from the shroud 110. As the dispenser head 120 moves awayfrom the shroud 110, a dosing chamber 190 on an interior of thedispenser head 120 may fill with product pulled from the container 900into the dosing chamber 190. Upon reaching the desired dose, a user maycease applying force to the lever 122 such that the dispensing device950 is ready to dispense the dose of product contained in the dosingchamber 190 or an equivalent dose thereof.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, a user may apply a downward force—or forcedirected at the shroud 110—to the lever 122 to move the dispenser head120 back towards the shroud 110. As the dispenser head 120 moves towardsthe shroud 110, the product contained in the dosing chamber 190 may bepumped, pushed, or otherwise dispensed from the dispensing device 950onto a surface, into a receptacle, or into a patient's mouth asillustrated. In some embodiments of the invention, the dose of productmay be dispensed through a nozzle or spout that is part of the shroud110 or is attached to the shroud 110. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 3, a nozzle of the dispenser 100 may be inserted in a baby's mouthand the dispenser head 120 moved to dispense a dose of product into thebaby's mouth.

According to certain embodiments of the invention, the dispenser head120 may be constructed of a transparent, semi-transparent, or clearmaterial such that a user may visually confirm that a product hasentered the dosing chamber 190 upon use of the dispensing device 950. Insome embodiments, the dispenser head 120 may also include one or moremarkings, graphics, or graduations marked on the dispenser head 120 suchthat a user may visually adjust the dose within the dosing chamber 190to the desired dose. For example, the dispenser head 120 may includegraduations representing 5 mL, 10 mL, and 15 mL. If a user desires 5 mLof a product, the user may move the lever 122 until the dosing chamber190 is filled to the 5 mL mark. If a user wished to have 15 mL of aproduct, the dispenser head 120 could be move away from the shroud 110until 15 mL of product filled the dosing chamber 190 as evidenced bygraduated markings on the dispenser head 120.

As an alternative to markings—or a secondary feature to be used withmarkings—certain embodiments of the invention may include locks torestrict movement of the dispenser head 120 through a limited range ofmotion such that a defined dose may be filled in the dosing chamber 190.For example, a restriction may prevent lever 122 from moving up pastthat point at which 5 mL of product fills the dosing chamber 190. Therestriction may be moved for other dosing requirements such that 10 mLor 15 mL or other desired amount could fill the dosing chamber 190.

The dispenser 100 according to various embodiments of the inventionillustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 is illustrated in use with a ventingsystem that includes a dip-tube for delivering product from within thecontainer 900 to the dispenser 100. In such systems, air is allowed backinto the container 900 to replace the space from which the fluid orproduct was removed. While a dispenser 100 according to variousembodiments of the invention may work with a venting system, a dispenser100 may also work with an airless or non-venting system as illustratedin FIGS. 4 and 5.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the dispensing system 950 may include adispenser 100 mounted on or attached to a container 900. The container900 may include a piston 910 contained piston within the container 900.As the dispenser 100 is actuated and product is removed from thecontainer 900, the piston 910 may move up the interior container 900walls allowing the displacement of fluid from the interior of thecontainer 900 through the dispenser 100. Such airless dispensing systemsare known and used with other types of dispensers and pumps.

The dispensing system 950 illustrated in FIG. 4 is at rest or in anon-loaded and non-actuated state. Upon the application of a generallyupward force—or force away from the container 900—to the lever 122 by auser, the dispensing head 120 may be raised or moved to the positionillustrated in FIG. 5, filling the dosing chamber 190 with a productfrom container 900. As product fills the dosing chamber 190, the piston910 moves up the walls of the container 900. In some embodiments of theinvention, the container 900 may include clear or opaque walls or awindow in a portion of the container 900 along with graduations or othermarkings to represent doses or an amount of product in the container900. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the container 900 mayinclude graduation markings showing the volume of product in thecontainer in mL or other volume or unit. As illustrated in FIG. 5, whenthe dosing chamber 190 is filled, the amount of product removed from thecontainer 900 and into the dosing chamber 190 is 10 mL as represented bymovement of the piston 910 marking 80 mL in FIG. 4 and 70 mL in FIG. 5.

A user may dispense the product from the dosing chamber 190 illustratedin FIG. 5 by applying a downward force against the lever 122 to push thelever 122 towards the container 900 which moves the dispenser head 120towards the shroud 110 and dispenses the product from the dosing chamber190 through the spout 130. In other embodiments, a user may apply adownward force directly against a top surface of the dispenser head 120to push the dispenser head 120 towards the shroud 110 and container 900.Application of such force pushes product out the spout 130.

A dispenser 200 and dispensing system 950 according to other embodimentsof the invention are illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 8. As illustrated inFIG. 6, a dispensing system 950 may include the components of adispenser 200 along with a container 900 and piston 910 for an airlessdispensing system.

A dispenser 200 according to certain embodiments of the invention mayinclude a base 250, a valve seat 260, a valve 270, a dispenser head 220,a lock cylinder 280, a shroud 210 and a spout 230. An optional spoutvalve 257 may also be used with various embodiments of the invention.

A base 250 according to various embodiments of the invention may includeone or more features capable of mating with or connecting to a container900. According to some embodiments of the invention and as illustratedin FIG. 7, a bead seal may snap into a channel in a container 900 toretain the base 250 and the dispenser 200 on the container 900. Otherfeatures or methods could also be used, for example, a screw closuresystem having threads on the base 250, container 900, or both may beused. In other embodiments a bayonet closure system could be used withlugs on the base 250, container 900, or both. Different methods andconfigurations for mating and connecting a pump or dispenser base to acontainer are known and any such method or features may be utilized withvarious embodiments of the invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, a base 250 may include an inlet path 252 andan outlet path 254. Product or fluid from within a container 900attached to the base 250 may flow into the inlet path 252 and out theoutlet path 254 during operation of the dispenser 200. A base 250 mayalso include an orifice 259 at an end of the outlet path 254. Theorifice 259 may be configured to dispense a product in a desired shape,through a desired opening, or to retain an optional spout valve 257 atthe end of the outlet path 254. The inlet path 252 and outlet path 254may also be configured to mate with other components of the dispenser200.

A valve seat 260 according to various embodiments of the invention isillustrated in FIG. 7. As illustrated, the valve seat 260 may include atop disc portion having a seal edge 265 about a periphery of the disc.The seal edge 265 may abut against and seal with an interior wall of thedispenser head 220 as illustrated. An inlet tube 262 and an outlet tube264 may extend off of a portion the disc, providing flow paths for aproduct in the dispenser 200. The inlet tube 262 may include an inletvalve seat portion at the point that the inlet tube 262 meets the discand the outlet tube 264 may include a outlet valve seat portion at thepoint where the outlet tube 264 interfaces with the disc. A valveretention portion 267 may be integrated with the valve seat 260 toretain one or more valves 270 on the valve seat 260.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the valve seat 260 may mate with or connect tothe base 250. An outer rim of the disc may sit or rest on a portion ofthe base 250 and the seal edge 265 may extend up and away from theportion of the outer rim of the disc contacting the base 250. An inlettube 262 and an outlet tube 264 may extend from the disc of the valveseat 260 towards the base 250 to connect with or join with the base 250.In some embodiments of the invention, the inlet path 252 of the base 250may be at least partially defined by an inlet path tube 253 or may matewith the inlet path tube 253 such that product may flow from the inletpath 252 into the inlet path tube 253. The inlet tube 262 of the valveseat 260 may fit within the inlet path tube 253 of the base 250 and sealtherewith to allow product to flow through the inlet path tube 252 andinto the inlet tube 262 as illustrated in FIG. 7. Similarly, a portionof the outlet path 254 of the base 250 may be defined by an outlet pathtube 255 or may mate therewith. The outlet tube 264 of the valve seat260 may fit within the outlet path tube 255 and seal therewith, forminga flow channel for product from the dosing chamber 290 into the outletpath 254 of the base 250. While the inlet tube 262 and outlet tube 264of the seal valve 260 are illustrated in FIG. 7 as being inside of theinlet path tube 253 and outlet path tube 255 of the base 250, it isunderstood that the connections could be reversed or configured asdesired to create the required seals and sealing surfaces to allow thedispenser 200 to operate appropriately.

A valve 270 including an inlet valve 272 and an outlet valve 274 may beseated in, attached to, mated with, or fixed to the valve seat 260. Asillustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the inlet valve 272 and outlet valve 274may be part of a singular valve unit. In other embodiments of theinvention, an inlet valve 272 and an outlet valve 274 may be separatecomponents attached to or otherwise seated against the valve seat 260.The inlet valve 272 may seat against a valve seat at the intersection ofthe inlet tube 262 with the top disc portion of the valve seat 260 suchthat the inlet valve 272 acts as a valve to restrict flow of a productout of the inlet tube 262. The outlet valve 274 may seat against a valveseat at the intersection of the outlet tube 264 with the valve seat 260disc.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the valve 270 may include an inlet valve 272seated in the inlet valve seat portion at the intersection of the inlettube 262 with the valve seat 260 disc portion and an outlet valve 274seated in the outlet valve seat portion at the intersection of theoutlet tube 264 with the valve seat 260 disc portion. The inlet valve272 may disengage from the inlet valve seat to allow product to flowthrough the inlet path tube 252, the inlet tube 262, and into a dosingchamber 290 formed by the intersection of the dispenser head 220 with aseal edge 265 of the valve seat 260. Upon retaining or loading a dose ofproduct into the dosing chamber 290, the inlet valve 272 may again seaton the inlet valve seat. Application of a force to the dispenser head220—by pushing on a portion of the dispenser head 220 or using a lever222 associated with the dispenser head 220—may open the outlet valve 274or unseat the outlet valve 274 from the outlet valve seat such thatproduct may flow out of the dosing chamber 290 and into the outlet tube264.

A dispenser head 220 may be mounted to or assembled with a base 250 andvalve seat 260 as illustrated in FIG. 7. A lever 222 integrated with thedispenser head 220 or attached thereto may extend outward from thedispenser 200 as illustrated. In some embodiments of the invention, thelever 222 may extend at a right angle to the dispenser head 220 and inother embodiments it may be configured at an angle to provide anergonomic position for a user to utilize the dispenser 200 with onehand.

According to various embodiments of the invention, a dispenser head 220may be of any desired shape. As illustrated, a dispenser head 220 mayinclude a tubular shape having a first, closed end and a second,opposite, open end. The open end of the dispenser head 220 may fit overportions of an assembled base 250 and valve seat 260. A seal edge 265about a periphery of the valve seat 260 may contact and seal against aninterior surface of the dispenser head 220. A space or volume betweenthe closed end of the dispenser head 220 and the valve seat 260 maydefine a dosing chamber 290 into which product may flow. A dosingchamber 290 may have a varying volume depending upon the movement of thedispenser head 220. When the dispenser head 220 is closest to thecontainer 900 as illustrated in FIG. 7, the dosing chamber 290 may havea first volume. As the dispenser head 220 is moved away from thecontainer 900, the volume of the dosing chamber 290 increases. When thedispenser head 220 is moved away from the container 900 a second volumemay exist in the dosing chamber 290 which second volume is greater thanthe first volume. As illustrated in FIG. 7, a dispenser head 220 in anon-actuated state may rest on a portion of the base 250 such that thebase 250 prevents further movement of the dispenser head 220 towards thebottom of the container 900. In some embodiments, a dispenser head 220may also include one or more features to help retain the dispenser head220 within the base 250 when assembled. For example, a snap bead mayprevent movement of the dispenser head 220 vertically away from thebottom of the container 900 past a pre-determined position.

According to certain embodiments of the invention, a lock cylinder 280may be assembled over a dispenser head 220 to retain or help retain thedispenser head 220 in a proper position within the dispenser 200. Asillustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, a dispenser head 220 may be assembled tothe base 250 and a lock cylinder 280 assembled over the dispenser head220 to retain the dispenser head 220 on the dispenser 200. A lockcylinder 280 according to certain embodiments of the invention mayinclude locking features configured to mate with the base 250 or lockingfeatures on the base 250 such that the locking cylinder 280 may belocked to or snap fit to the base 250, retaining the valve seat 260 anddispenser head 220 on the base 250.

A shroud 210 may be fitted over the lock cylinder 280 for aestheticpurposes, to hold the lock cylinder 280 in place, or for other purposes.The shroud 210 may also assist retaining the dispenser head 220 on thedispenser 200 in some embodiments of the invention. A shroud 210according to various embodiments of the invention may include atubular-like structure or shape having two open ends. A first end mayfit over the lock cylinder 280 and a second end may provide an openingin the top of the dispenser 200 in which a portion of the dispenser head220 is visible and through which the dispenser head 220 may move duringactuation of the dispenser 200. In other embodiments of the invention,the shroud 210 may include one or more stop limits for the lever 222such that the one or more stop limits may limit the upward mobility ofthe lever 22 and in turn the dispenser head 220. By limiting themovement of the dispenser head 220 with a stop limit, the volume in thedosing chamber 290 may be limited such that only a desired dose ispulled into or pumped into the dosing chamber 220.

In other embodiments of the invention, a lock cylinder 280 may includeone or more stop limits. The one or more stop limits may restrict themovement of a lever 222 and thus the dispenser head 220 such that thestop limit dictates the amount of product drawn into or pumped into thedosing chamber 290 during use of the dispenser 200.

In still other embodiments of the invention, both a shroud 210 and alock cylinder 280 may include features that define one or more stoplimits capable of restricting movement of a lever 222. In still furtherembodiments, a shroud 210, lock cylinder 280, or both may includefeatures that limit the movement of the dispenser head 220 and in turn alever 222 associated therewith. For example, a dispenser head 220 mayinclude one or more projections that may contact one or more stop limitsor projections incorporated into the shroud 210, lock cylinder 280, orboth. Such interaction may stop the movement of the dispenser head 220and thus the continued filling of the dosing chamber 290.

A dispenser 200 according to various embodiments of the invention mayalso include a spout 230. A spout 230 may fit over, connect to, orcontact a portion of the base 250 and shroud 210 as illustrated in FIG.7. According to certain embodiments of the invention, a spout 230 mayprovide a surface configured and shaped to allow dispensing of a productinto the mouth of a user or person the user is interacting with. Forinstance, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, a spout 230 may be shaped toallow a user or subject to put their lips about the spout 230 so that aproduct could be delivered from the dispenser 200 to the user orsubject.

According to some embodiments of the invention, a spout 230 may bedetached from the dispenser 230 for cleaning or sanitizing. In addition,different sized spouts 230 may be used to account for different sizedmouths of users or subjects. For example, in some embodiments adispenser 200 may be sold with multiple spouts 230 having differentsizes. A spout 230 may be selected and snap-fit or otherwise connectedto the dispenser 200 about an orifice 259 associated with the base 250.A user may obtain a dose of product by moving lever 222 to fill thedosing chamber 290 with a desired dose of product. The spout 230 maythen be put in the mouth of the user or a subject that the user isassisting and the dispenser head 220 or lever 222 pressed to deliver aproduct through the outlet path 254, the orifice 259, and into a user'sor subject's mouth, or other dispensing vessel. Following use, the spout230 could be removed and washed before the next use. In otherembodiments of the invention, a spout 230 may be disposable, such thatit is removed and discarded after one use. In still other embodiments,the spout 230 may be washed while attached to the dispenser 200, forexample by running the spout 230 under hot water.

In some embodiments of the invention, an orifice 259 may be fitted witha spout valve 257. A spout valve 257 may provide an additional valve atthe end of the outlet path 254 capable of shutting off the flow of aproduct through the outlet path 254. Thus, as product is dispensedthrough the spout valve 257, the flow will stop and the spout valve 257will shut once a desired dose has been pushed through the dispenser 200or when pressure on the discharge head 220 ceases. A spout valve 257 mayinclude any type of valve as desired. In some embodiments of theinvention, a duck-bill-type valve may be used as a spout valve 257.

In addition to assisting with the stoppage of flow of a product, a spoutvalve 257 may provide peace-of-mind or more sanitary cleaning of thespout 230 and the dispenser 200. For instance, a dispenser 200 fittedwith a spout valve 257 may include a spout 230 that remains fixed to thedispenser 200 and a user may wash the spout 230 under warm water withoutworry of contamination or backflow of water into the dispenser 200because the spout valve 230 may prevent such backflow or contaminationof residual product in the outlet path 254.

A dispenser 200 according to various embodiments of the invention may beassembled with the parts illustrated in FIG. 6. In some embodiments, avalve seat 260 may be seated on a base 250. A valve 270 may be fitted orsecured to the valve seat 260. A dispenser head 220 may be fitted overthe valve seat 260 and onto the base 250 with a lock cylinder 280assembled over the dispenser head 220. The lock cylinder 280 may securethe dispenser head 220 to the base 250 such that the dispenser head 220may move relative to the base 250 and lock cylinder 280. A shroud 210may be fitted over the lock cylinder 280. An optional spout valve 257may be inserted into the orifice 259 of the base 250. A spout 230 may befit over a portion of the base 250, with an opening in the spout 230about the orifice 259 of the base 250.

The assembled dispenser 200 may be attached to a container 900 asillustrated in FIG. 7, forming a dispensing system 950. In mostinstances, the container 900 may already have a piston 910 installedtherein and the container 900 may be filled with a product. In otherinstances, the container may not include a piston 910 but the base 250may be connected to a dip tube capable of transferring a product fromthe inside of the container 900 into the dispenser 200. In someembodiments of the invention, the dispenser 200 and container 900 withpiston 910 may be shipped as a complete unit such that a pharmacist maymix a formulary product, add it to the container 900 and assemble thedispenser 200 for use by a customer.

A dispensing system 950 according to other embodiments of the inventionis illustrated in FIGS. 8 through 22. Various components of a dispensingsystem 950 according to certain embodiments of the invention areillustrated in FIG. 8. For example, a dispensing system 950 may includea container 900 and piston 910 combination attached to a dispenser 300having a base 350, a cap 310, a seal 360, a dispenser head 320, a valve370, a valve sleeve 392, and a spout 330.

While a dispensing system 950 may include a container 900 and piston 910for airless applications and formulations as illustrated in FIG. 8,other embodiments of the invention may include a container 900 that maybe fitted to a dispenser 300 having a dip tube included therewith. Adispenser 300 having a dip tube may be used with formulations that arenot sensitive to contamination by air or the atmosphere. A dispenser 300may be connected to a container 900 by one or more connection points.For example, as illustrated in IG. 8, a container 900 may include one ormore container projections 951 that may mate with one or more baseprojections 351 to form a connection between the base 350 and thecontainer 900. In some embodiments of the invention, the containerprojections 951 and base projections 351 may include threads to allowthe base 350 to be screwed onto the container 900. In other embodiments,the container projections 951 and base projections 351 may be snap-fittype projections that allow the base 350 to be snap-fit to the container900. In still other embodiments of the invention, the base projections351 and container projections 951 may include a bayonet-type closuresystem allowing the base 350 to be fixed to the container 900 in eithera removable or non-removable configuration. Depending on theapplication, the base 350 and container 900 may be configured to beseparable or inseparable upon initial joinder of the two parts.

In still other embodiments of the invention, a base 350 may be connectedto a pouch 510 or bag filled with product as illustrated in FIG. 21. Thepouch 510 or bag may be inserted into a container 900 and the base 350secured on the container 900 such that the pouch 510 or bag is containedwithin the container 900.

Components of a dispenser 300 according to various embodiments of theinvention are illustrated in an unassembled state in FIG. 8. Asillustrated, a dispenser 300 may include a base 350, a cap 310, a seal360, a dispenser head 320, a valve 370, a valve sleeve 392, and a spout330. In some embodiments of the invention, a dispenser 300 may beassembled, shipped, or otherwise transported to a different locationbefore being assembled or connected to a container 900.

A cross-sectional view of a dispenser 300 according to variousembodiments of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 9. As illustrated, abase 350 may include a base platform 352 having one or more base skirts353 projecting off of and away from the base platform 352. One or morebase projections 351 may be positioned on an interior or exterior of abase skirt 353. As illustrated in FIG. 9, a base projection 351 mayextend away from an outer surface of a base skirt 353 and may beconfigured to mate with one or more container projections 951 or slots,whereby such interaction between the base projection 351 and containerprojection 951 may retain the base 350 on a container 900. In otherembodiments, a base skirt 353 may interact with a container 900 toretain the base 350 on the container 900.

A base 350 may also include a base support wall 354 extending away fromthe base wall 352 in a direction opposite the base skirt 353. Asillustrated in FIG. 9, a base support wall 354 may include asubstantially cylindrical tube or tube portion extending upward from thebase wall 352. A top of the base support wall 354 may define an openinginto the cylindrical tube or tube portion of the base 350. A base sealseat 356 may be positioned within an interior of the base support wall354 tube or tube portion as illustrated. A base seal seat 356 mayinclude a tubular member extending towards the opening at the top of thebase support wall 354. The base seal seat 356 may include projections,tapered portions, or other features capable of interacting with orconnecting to a seal 360 according to various embodiments of theinvention.

A base 350 may also include a valve sleeve seat 357 configured to acceptand retain a valve sleeve 392. As illustrated in FIG. 9, a valve sleeveseat 357 may include a tubular opening within the base 350 configured toretain a valve sleeve 392. As illustrated, a valve sleeve seat 357 maybe angled such that a valve sleeve 392 fitted in the valve sleeve seat357 may project at a desired angle away from the base 350. While thevalve sleeve seat 357 illustrated in FIG. 9 is tubular in shape, it isunderstood that other shapes or configuration may also be used withvarious embodiments of the present invention. For example, a valvesleeve 392 may include a square or rectangular portion to be fitted withor connected to a base valve sleeve seat 357.

An inlet 355 in the base 350 may include an opening positioned at an endof the valve sleeve seat 357 as illustrated in FIG. 9. Thus, in someembodiments of the invention, a base 350 may define a valve sleeve seat357 having an opening at one end to accept assembly of a valve sleeve392 and an inlet 355 at the opposite end of the valve sleeve seat 357.Product may flow from an interior of a container 900 attached to adispenser 300 through the inlet 355 and into the dispenser 300.According to some embodiments of the invention, an inlet 355 may also beconfigured to retain a dip tube such that product from within acontainer 900 may be drawn through the dip tube and in turn through theinlet 355 into the dispenser 300. In still other embodiments of theinvention, the inlet 355 may be adjacent to or part of a connectionconfigured to be sealed to a bag or pouch. Product from within the bagor pouch may flow through the inlet 355 and into the dispenser 300.

According to certain embodiments of the invention, a seal 360 mayinclude a seal body 361 having one or more seal edges 365 projectingtherefrom. As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, a seal body 361 may includea top surface 369 having one or more seal skirts 363 projecting awayfrom the top surface. One or more seal edges 365 may project outward oraway from an outer surface of the outermost seal skirt 363. A portion ofthe one or more seal edges 365 may rest on ends of, or portions of, thebase support wall 354. A portion of the seal skirts 363 may extend intoan interior area bounded by the base support wall 354 and may interactwith the base support wall 354. For example, in certain embodiments ofthe invention, a portion of a seal skirt 363 may fit against an interiorportion of the base support wall 354 such that an interference betweenthe seal skirt 363 and the base support wall 354 retains the seal 360 ina position mounted to the base support wall 364.

According to certain embodiments of the invention, a seal 360 mayinclude one or more flow passages through the seal 360. As illustratedin FIG. 9, a seal 360 may include a single flow passage 362 extendingthrough the seal 360. A flow passage 362 may include a tubular structurehaving a first opening adjacent the top surface 369 and a second openingat the opposite end of the flow passage 362. The tubular structure maydepend from the top surface 369 downward into an interior space definedby the base support wall 354. An end portion of the flow passage 362adjacent the second opening may be fitted into or around a portion ofthe base seal seat 356. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the flow passage 362may fit into the base seal seat 356 and may be secured there. In someembodiments, the base seal seat 356 may be configured with one or morefeatures to retain an end of the flow passage 362 in the base seal seat356 once inserted therein or an outer surface of the flow passage 362may be configured with one or more features to retain the end of theflow passage 362 in the base seal seat 356.

A flow passage 362 according to various embodiments of the invention mayact as both an inlet and outlet passageway for fluid or product passingthrough the inlet 355 from a container 900. For example, as illustratedin FIG. 9, fluid flowing in the inlet 355 may flow through the flowpassage 362, into a dosing chamber 390 and out of a dosing chamber 390into an interior portion of the valve sleeve 392.

A dispenser 300 according to various embodiments of the invention mayalso include a dispenser head 320. A dispenser head 320 may include ahollow structure having a single open end that may fit over or around abase support wall 354. A top, closed end of the dispenser opposite theopen end may define portion of a dosing chamber 390 defined by thedispenser head 320 and seal 360. As illustrated in FIG. 9, a dispenserhead 320 may fit over over and around a base support wall 354. One ormore seal edges 365 of a seal 360 fixed to the base support wall 354 mayabut against an interior wall or surface of the dispenser head 320 in afluid-tight manner. A region between the top surface 369 of the seal andthe interior surface of the closed end of the dispenser head 320 maydefine a dosing chamber 390.

According to various embodiments of the invention, movement of thedispenser head 320 may increase or decrease the size of the dosingchamber 390. For example, when a closed end of a dispenser head 320 ismoved vertically away from a seal 360, the dosing chamber 390 expands.When a closed end of a dispenser head 320 is moved towards a seal 360,the dosing chamber 390 shrinks or decreases in size. Product may bedrawn into the dosing chamber 390 by moving the dispenser head 320vertically away from the seal 360 and pushed out of the dosing chamber390 by pushing the closed end of the dispenser head 320 towards the seal360.

A lever 322 may extend off of a dispenser head 320 as illustrated inFIG. 8. A lever 322 may be used to move a dispenser head 320 up-and-downor in a rotational manner. For example, in some embodiments of theinvention, a dispenser head 320 may be rotated about an axis through thecenter of the dispenser head 320 to select a desired dose to be obtainedusing the dispenser 300. A lever 322 extending off of the dispenser head320 may be used to initiate such movement. In addition, a lever 322 maybe used to move the dispenser head 320 vertically away from a container900 or downward, towards a container 900 during use of the dispenser300.

According to certain embodiments of the invention, a dispenser head 320may include a sleeve opening 321 in a portion thereof as illustrated inFIG. 8. The sleeve opening 321 may be configured to allow the dispenserhead 320 to rotate about a central axis without interference from avalve sleeve 392 being used with the dispenser 300.

Dispenser heads 320 according to various embodiments of the inventionmay be made of any desired material. However, in some embodiments, itmay be beneficial for the dispenser head 320 to be made of a clear,transparent, or semi-transparent material such that a dose of productcontained in the dosing chamber 390 defined by the dispenser head 320may be visible through the dispenser head 320. For example, many userswish to visually confirm the size or look of a dose of medicine.Utilizing a dispensing device 950 having a dispenser head 320 made of atransparent material according to various embodiments of the invention,a user may confirm the presence of a dose of medicine in the dosingchamber 390 before administering the dose of medicine.

A dispenser 300 according to various embodiments of the invention mayinclude a valve sleeve 392 fitted into a base valve sleeve seat 357. Avalve sleeve 392 may be configured to retain one or more valves thereinto control dispensing of a fluid or product from the dispenser 300. Asillustrated in FIG. 9, a valve sleeve 392 may include an opening on afirst end thereof and an opening on a second end thereof. The opening onthe first end may be adjacent one or more connection portions configuredto mate with or fit into a base valve sleeve seat 357. As illustrated,in some embodiments a secondary flange extending off of a first end ofthe valve sleeve 392 may be configured to snap-fit, interference fit,compression fit, or otherwise connect to the base 350 at the base valvesleeve seat 357. Other connection systems may be developed or used withvarious embodiments of the invention to secure a valve sleeve 392 with abase 300.

According to various embodiments of the invention, a valve sleeve 392may include a valve seat at a second end of the valve sleeve 392adjacent the second opening. In some embodiments of the invention, thevalve sleeve 392 may include a tapered interior surface as illustratedin FIG. 9 against which a valve 370 may rest or seat to seal-off andclose the second opening in the valve sleeve 392. While such feature isillustrated in FIG. 9, other embodiments of the invention may include adifferently configured valve seat. In still other embodiments of theinvention, there may be no valve seat and instead a valve may beattached to the end of the valve sleeve 392. For example, a duck-billtype valve may be fitted to the end of a valve sleeve 392 adjacent thesecond opening to limit flow of product out of the interior portion orchamber of the valve sleeve 392.

The interior chamber formed within the valve sleeve 392 may beconfigured as desired. During operation of a dispenser 300, product orfluid may reside within a portion of the interior chamber formed withinthe valve sleeve 392.

One or more valves 370 may be seated within the interior chamber—or aportion thereof—of the valve sleeve 392. In some embodiments of theinvention, a valve may be seated at the second end of the valve sleeve392 to prevent leakage or dispensing of a product from the interiorchamber of the valve sleeve 392 until the valve 370 is moved orunseated. For example, a valve 370 according to various embodiments ofthe invention is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. As illustrated, a valve370 may include an inlet valve 372 and an outlet valve 374. The inletvalve 372 may be seated about the inlet 355 or in a valve seat adjacentto the inlet 355. The outlet valve 374 may be seated in the second endof the valve sleeve 392 and may prevent fluid or product from leavingthe interior of the valve sleeve 392 until the outlet valve 374 isunseated.

According to various embodiments of the invention, a valve 370 mayinclude a singular valve unit having an outlet valve 374 on one endthereof and an inlet valve 372 on the opposite end. As illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 9, the outlet valve 374 may include a head that seats in avalve seat and the inlet valve may include a bellow or disc capable offlexing or moving. According to certain embodiments of the invention, avalve stem 373 may be connected to the outlet valve 374 and inlet valve372 and in some embodiments the outlet valve 374 is at one end of thevalve stem 373 and the inlet valve 372 is located at the other end ofthe valve stem 373.

An inlet valve 372 may include a bellow or domed portion having an inletvalve rim 379 about an outer edge thereof. In some embodiments, theinlet valve 372 may include a concave dome made of a flexible material.An inlet valve rim 379 may seat against a portion of the base 350 andform a seal therewith. The inlet valve 372 may move or flex in such amanner as to unseat or break contact between the inlet valve rim 379 andthe base 350.

According to certain embodiments of the invention, a valve 370 asillustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 may function through movement of the inletvalve 372 relative to the valve stem 373 and movement of the valve stem373 and outlet valve 374 relative to the inlet valve 372. In anon-actuated state, the inlet valve 372 may rest against or sit againsta portion of the base 350 about the inlet 355. Fluid entering or passingthrough the inlet 355 applies a force to the surface of the inlet valve372. Upon sufficient application of force, the inlet valve 372 separatesfrom contact with the base 350, allowing product to pass into aninterior portion of the valve sleeve 392, up through the flow passage362 in the seal 360, and into the dosing chamber 390. When fluid ispassing out of the dosing chamber 390 and back into an interior portionof the valve sleeve 392, such fluid applies a force to the back-side ofthe inlet valve 372, causing it to flex and move the valve stem 373which in turn unseats the outlet valve 374, allowing product to bedispensed from the dispensing device 950.

A dispenser 300 may also include a spout 330 positioned over the valvesleeve 392 or a portion thereof. According to various embodiments of theinvention, a spout 330 may be fixed to the dispenser 300. In otherembodiments, a spout 330 may be attached to the dispenser 300 in aremovable manner such that spout 330 may be removed from the dispenser300 for cleaning or other purposes.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, a spout 330 may be shaped to fit auser's mouth. The shape and size of the spout 330 may be configured toallow a user to more easily receive a product from a dispenser 300. Forexample, if a child is to receive a dose of product from the dispenser300, the spout 330 may be of a smaller size than a spout 330 shaped tofit the mouth of an adult. According to certain embodiments of theinvention, a spout 330 may provide a surface configured and shaped toallow dispensing of a product into the mouth of a user or person theuser is interacting with. For instance, a spout 330 may be shaped toallow a user or subject to put their lips about the spout 330 so that aproduct could be delivered from the dispenser 300 to the user orsubject.

A cap 310 may be fit on or to the base 350, enclosing portions of thedispenser head 320, seal 360, and base 350. In addition, a cap 310 mayinclude one or more lever paths 312. A lever path 312 according tovarious embodiments of the invention may include a path through which alever 322 associated with dispenser head 320 may move during operationof the dispenser 300. In some embodiments, more than one lever path 312may be included in a cap 310 such that each level path 312 may have adifferent length, allowing a lever 322 to move along the lever path 312for the given distance. According to certain embodiments of theinvention, the length of the lever path 312 may prevent the dispenserhead 320 from further movement, thereby regulating the dose or amount ofproduct drawn into the dosing chamber 390. For example, if two leverpaths 312 exist, a first lever path 312 may allow sufficient movement ofthe dispenser head 320 to load 10 mL of product into the dosing chamber390 while a second lever path 312 may allow sufficient movement of thedispenser head 320 to load 20 mL of product into the dosing chamber 390.The lever path 312 lengths may be designed to allow for a desired dosingbased on the size or volume of the dosing chamber 390 of the dispenser300.

According to some embodiments of the invention, a dispenser head 320 mayalso include one or more projections or features extending off of anouter surface thereof and a cap 310 having one or more projections orfeatures extending off of an interior surface thereof. The features onthe dispenser head 320 may interact with the features on the cap 310 tolimit vertical or up-and-down movement of the dispenser head 320relative to the cap 310. By limiting the movement of the dispenser head320, the volume of the dosing chamber 390 may be limited. In someembodiments of the invention, the features on the dispenser head 320 andcap 310 may correspond with movement of the lever 322 or the lever paths312 and may provide additional stopping positions or reinforced stoppingpositions such that a user will not be capable of over-dosing orchanging the desired dose for a given lever 322 position relative to thelever paths 312.

According to various embodiments of the invention, a dispenser 300 maybe assembled from a base 350, a seal 360, a dispenser head 320, a valve370, a valve sleeve 392, and a spout 330. In some embodiments, a valve370 and valve sleeve 392 may be fitted to a base 350 with the valve 370on an interior of the valve sleeve 392. A seal 360 may be seated on thebase 350 and a dispenser head 320 assembled over the seal 360 and abouta base support wall 354. A cap 310 may be assembled over the dispenserhead 320 and snap-fit or otherwise connected to the base 350. A spout330 may be fit over the valve sleeve 392 and attached to the base 350.In some embodiments, a spout 330 may not be assembled with the dispenser300 but shipped or provided separately. For example, in some embodimentsof the invention, an assembled dispenser 300 may be provided with one ormore detachable spouts 330 that can be assembled to and removed from thedispenser 300 for washing, sanitizing, or changing for a particularuser. The dispenser 300 may be assembled to a container 900 or acontainer 900 containing a product.

A dispensing system 950 according to various embodiments of theinvention is illustrated in FIGS. 10 through 16. While particularconfigurations and aesthetics of a dispensing system 950 are shown, itis understood that alternate aesthetics and configurations could bedesigned utilizing a dispenser 300 according to various embodiments ofthe invention.

A rear-view of a dispensing system 950 in a non-dispensing mode orposition is illustrated in FIG. 10. As illustrated, a dispensing system950 according to certain embodiments of the invention includes adispenser 300 attached to a container 900. The dispenser 300 includes adispenser head 320 in a down, or non-actuated position. A lever 322attached to the dispenser head 320 is adjacent the container 900 and isaligned with the first of two lever paths 312, the first lever path 312being shorter than the second lever path 312.

FIG. 11 illustrates a rear-view of the dispensing system 950 illustratedin FIG. 10 in a primed state, or in a state in which product has beendrawn into a dosing chamber 390 defined in an interior portion of thedispenser head 320. As illustrated, the lever 322 attached to thedispenser head 320 has been raised or moved along the first lever path312 to the end thereof. Further movement of the dispenser head 320 in avertical position is prevented by interaction of the lever 322 with thetop, stop portion of the lever path 312.

Similarly, FIG. 12 illustrates a rear-view of the dispensing system 950illustrated in FIG. 10 in a primed state, or in a state in which producthas been drawn into the dosing chamber 390. Unlike the dispensing system950 illustrated in FIG. 11, the dispenser 300 illustrated in FIG. 12includes the lever 322 positioned in a top portion of the second leverpath 312, resulting in a larger dosing chamber 390. As illustrated, thelever 322 illustrated in FIG. 10 may be moved or rotated from a positionadjacent the first lever path 312 to a position adjacent the secondlever path 312 and then moved vertically along the second lever path 312to a stop position at the top portion of the second lever path 312.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10 through 12, a dispensing system 950 accordingto various embodiments of the invention may be used to load differentdoses of a product into a dosing chamber 390 of a dispenser 300 based onthe selection of a lever path 312 and movement of a lever 322 along thelever path 312. As illustrated, a shorter lever path 312 restricts adose loaded into the dosing chamber 390 to a smaller dose than thatallowed by the longer lever path 312. In this manner, a user may selecta desired dose and load the dosing chamber 390 with the selected dosageamount.

The dispensing system 950 illustrated in FIG. 12 is also illustrated inFIGS. 13 through 16. As illustrated in FIG. 13, when a dispenser 300 isloaded with a dose of product, the dispenser head 320 extends above thetop edge of the cap 310 and the lever 322 is at the top end of a leverpath 312. To dispense the dose of product in the dosing chamber 390, auser may press down on the top of the dispenser head 320 or on the lever322. As the dispenser head 320 is moved downward, product from withinthe dosing chamber 390 is dispensed from the dispenser 300.

A front view of the dispensing system 950 is illustrated in FIG. 14 anda top view is illustrated in FIG. 15. A cross-sectional view of thedispensing device 950 in the charged or loaded position is illustratedin FIG. 16.

Operation of a dispensing system 950 according to various embodiments ofthe invention is illustrated in FIGS. 17 through 20. A dispensing system950 in an unloaded state is illustrated in FIG. 17. The dispenser head320 is in an initial position such that the interior surface of a topportion of the dispenser head 320 is adjacent the seal 360. The dosingchamber 390 has little to no volume and the valve 370 is seated with theoutlet valve 374 sealed against the orifice end of the valve sleeve 392and the inlet valve 372 seated against the base 350. In thisconfiguration, the dispensing device 950 is ready to be loaded with adose of product from container 900.

To load the dosing chamber 390 with a dose of product from container900, a user may move the dispenser head 320 vertically, away from theseal 360 or the container 900 as illustrated in FIG. 18. For example, auser may push on a lever 322 which may ride or be guided by a lever path312. As an upward force is applied to the lever 322, the dispenser head320 moves upwards or vertically, increasing the volume within the dosingchamber 390. As the volume in the dosing chamber 390 is increased, forceis applied to the inlet valve 372, lifting at least a portion of theedges of the inlet valve 372 off of base 350 and product is drawnthrough inlet 355, past the inlet valve 372, and into the dosing chamber390 as represented by the arrow illustrating the product flow path inFIG. 18. As product is moved into the dosing chamber 390, piston 910moves upward into the displaced product space.

A fully loaded dosing chamber 390 is illustrated in FIG. 19. Onceloaded, the inlet valve 372 seats back against the base 350 and thedispenser head 320 is in a vertical position ready for dispersing theproduct from the dosing chamber 390. In some embodiments, where thedispenser head 320 is made of a clear, transparent, or otherwisesee-through material, a user may confirm that there is a dose of productin the dosing chamber 390 in such position.

In order to dispense a dose of product from the dosing chamber 390illustrated in FIG. 19, a user may apply a force to the dispenser head320. A force may be applied to the dispenser head 320 by applying aforce to a lever 322 connected thereto or by applying a force to a topsurface of the dispenser head 320 as illustrated by the three forcearrows in FIG. 20. As the force is applied, the volume of the dosingchamber 290 is reduced, pushing product from the dosing chamber 390 backthrough the flow passage 362 and into an interior space of the valvesleeve 392. Pressure build-up within the valve sleeve 392 pushes on theinterior surface—or back-side surface—of the inlet valve 372, causingthe inlet valve 372 to deform towards the inlet 355. This deformationmoves the valve stem 373 and in turn unseats the outlet valve 374 fromthe end of the valve sleeve 392, creating an opening through whichproduct may escape or be dispensed. As illustrated in FIG. 20, productmay flow through the interior chamber of the valve sleeve 392 and outthe end thereof along the fluid flow path illustrated by the fluid flowarrow.

Upon dispensing the dose contained in the dosing chamber 390, the valve370 resets with the inlet valve 372 seated against the base 350 and theoutlet valve 374 seated against the valve sleeve 392 and the dispenserhead 320 is in a down or unloaded position as illustrated in FIG. 17.

It is understood that in some embodiments of the invention it may bedifficult to dispense all of the product contained in a dosing chamberthrough the dispenser to a targeted point such as a surface or a userbecause of the dead-space or space contained in the spout or interiorportion of a valve sleeve of a dispenser. While it may be true that thedose contained in the dosing chamber may not be fully dispensed duringactuation of the dispenser, an equivalent amount of product contained inthe dispenser is dispensed. Thus, the amount shown in the dosing chamberis equivalent to—or is substantially equivalent to—the amount of productthat will be dispensed by the dispenser. For example, as illustrated inFIGS. 17 through 20, an interior of the valve sleeve 392 of thedispenser 300 includes a volume through which the product exiting thedosing chamber 390 must pass before being dispensed. A single actuationis not sufficient to dispense the product in the dosing chamber 390because at the end of the actuation, at least a portion of the productthat has exited the dosing chamber 390 remains resident in the interiorof the valve sleeve 392. However, once primed, the dispensing system 950includes product in the valve sleeve 392 such that when the dosingchamber 390 is emptied, the product leaving the dosing chamber 390pushes product already in the interior portion of the valve sleeve 392out of the dispenser 300. In this manner, after the dispenser 300 isprimed, the dispenser 300 will dispense an amount of product that issubstantially similar to the amount of product contained in the dosingchamber 390.

Dispensing systems 950 according to other embodiments of the inventionare illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22. As illustrated in FIG. 21, adispenser 300 may be connected to a container 900 and a pouch 510 orbag. The pouch 510 may be connected to the base 350 of the dispenser 300using any known connection system. For example, the base 350 may includea canoe portion to which a pouch 510 may be sealed such that productpasses from the pouch 510, through the canoe, and into an inlet 355. Inother embodiments of the invention, a base 350 may be configured toaccept a dip tube 520 as illustrated in FIG. 22. Use of a dip tube 520may be desirable for non-airless systems.

While various embodiments of the invention are described herein, it isunderstood that the particular embodiments defined by the appendedclaims are not to be limited by particular details set forth in thedescription, as many apparent variations thereof are contemplated.Rather, embodiments of the invention are limited only by the appendedclaims, which include within their scope all equivalent devices ormethods which operate according to the principles of the embodiments ofthe invention described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dispensing device, comprising: a container,comprising an opening and an internal volume; a piston within theinternal volume of the container; a dispenser fixed to the opening, thedispenser comprising: a base, comprising an inlet path and an outletpath; a valve seat received in the base, the valve seat comprising a topdisc portion having a peripheral edge seal, an inlet tube, extendingdownward from the top disc portion, and in fluid communication with theinlet path, and an outlet tube, extending downward from the top discportion, and in fluid communication with the outlet path; a bi-valveseated in the valve seat, the bi-valve comprising an inlet valve seatedin an inlet valve seat portion in the inlet tube and an outlet valveseated in an outlet valve seat portion in the outlet tube, wherein theinlet valve seat portion and the outlet valve seat portion are bothradially inward of the peripheral edge seal of the valve seat; adispenser head seated on the base and in contact with the peripheraledge seal of the valve seat, wherein the peripheral edge seal and aninterior portion of the dispenser head define a dosing chamber; a lockcylinder seated on the base; and a shroud seated over the lock cylinderon the base; wherein the dispenser head is movable between at least afirst position having a dosing chamber with a first volume to a secondposition having a dosing chamber with a second volume, the second volumebeing greater than the first volume.
 2. The dispensing device of claim 1further comprising an orifice at an end of the outlet path.
 3. Thedispensing device of claim 2 further comprising a spout valve within theorifice.
 4. The dispensing device of claim 1 further comprising aremovable spout received about the outlet path.
 5. The dispensing deviceof claim 3 further comprising a removable spout received about theoutlet path, orifice and spout valve.
 6. The dispensing device of claim1 wherein said valve seat further includes a valve retention portion. 7.The dispensing device of claim 1 further comprising a lever integratedwith the dispenser head.
 8. The dispensing device of claim 5 furthercomprising a lever integrated with the dispenser head.
 9. The dispensingdevice of claim 1 wherein said lock cylinder includes a plurality ofstop limits restricting movement of the dispenser head and defining atleast said first position and said second position.
 10. The dispensingdevice of claim 3 wherein said lock cylinder includes a plurality ofstop limits restricting movement of the dispenser head and defining atleast said first position and said second position.
 11. The dispensingdevice of claim 5 wherein said lock cylinder includes a plurality ofstop limits restricting movement of the dispenser head and defining atleast said first position and said second position.
 12. The dispensingdevice of claim 7 wherein said lock cylinder includes a plurality ofstop limits restricting movement of the dispenser head and defining atleast said first position and said second position.
 13. The dispensingdevice of claim 8 wherein said lock cylinder includes a plurality ofstop limits restricting movement of the dispenser head and defining atleast said first position and said second position.
 14. The dispensingdevice of claim 7, wherein said lever projects radially outward througha gap in said shroud and wherein the lever is operable for moving thedispenser head in an axial direction away from and toward said containerto define at least said first position and said second position.
 15. Thedispensing device of claim 8, wherein said lever projects radiallyoutward through a gap in said shroud and wherein the lever is operablefor moving the dispenser head in an axial direction away from and towardsaid container to define at least said first position and said secondposition.